Harold Hewell says his father
wanted all his sons to be potters and Harold
has, literally, kept his hand in the craft,
still working daily in the pottery shop turning
ware. His sensual handling of the graceful forms
is borne of many years of intimate understanding
of the clay in his hands
Harold's wife, Grace Nell,
whose production in the shop is an inspiration
for the other turners, is one of a small number
of female potters whose work has been recognized
by those in the craft and collectors alike.
In addition to the gardenwares, Grace Nell creates
grape-decorated vases, incised pitchers, chicken
bowls, and miniature face jugs. She began her
career in clay, working alongside her husband
and father-in-law in the Gillsville shop, beginning
the Monday after her honeymoon with Harold in
June of 1949. She proudly recalls turning, carrying,
and loading ware into the kiln up until the
day their son, Chester, was born.
Although Hewell's Pottery
is one of the largest suppliers of horticultural
ware to the eastern and mid-western states and
Canada, the true love of Chester and the other
members of The Hewell Family is producing 'old-timey',
alkaline-glazed, Edgefield Pottery pieces.
Using the time-honored wood-fired
kiln method, The Hewell Family turns out familiar,
historical pieces, Susanna Hewell glowing with
deep alkaline and ash glazes and distinctive
decorative finishes produced using iron-slip
and slip-trail techniques.
Even the youngest members
of the Hewell family are involved in making
pottery. Eli is eight and Susanna is four.
